Irish Curriculum · 5th Year Chemistry

5th Year Chemistry Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 5th Year Chemistry lesson plan aligned to the Leaving Certificate Chemistry specification (first examined in 2027). Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering the Nature of Science and the Nature of Matter (matter, atomic structure, the periodic table and the mole), then bonding, intermolecular forces, gases, hydrocarbons and thermochemistry, with the start of the Chemistry in Practice Investigation and summer consolidation.

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4Terms

48Weekly checkpoints

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5th Year Chemistry learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice

September · The Nature of Matter: Matter

5th Year Chemistry — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Chemistry

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
September 1st week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Nature of Science: how chemists investigate	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Nature of Science: how chemists investigate 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Nature of Science: how chemists investigate 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 2nd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: The particulate nature of matter and changes of state	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: The particulate nature of matter and changes of state 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: The particulate nature of matter and changes of state 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 3rd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Separation techniques	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Separation techniques 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Separation techniques 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
September 4th week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Conservation of mass and energy	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Conservation of mass and energy 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Matter 1: Conservation of mass and energy 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

October · The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure

5th Year Chemistry — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Chemistry

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
October 1st week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Models of the atom	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Models of the atom 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Models of the atom 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 2nd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Protons, neutrons, electrons and isotopes	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Protons, neutrons, electrons and isotopes 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Protons, neutrons, electrons and isotopes 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 3rd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Flame tests and line emission spectra	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Flame tests and line emission spectra 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Flame tests and line emission spectra 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
October 4th week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Electron configuration	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Electron configuration 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Atomic Structure 1: Electron configuration 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

November · The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table

5th Year Chemistry — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Chemistry

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
November 1st week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Mendeleev and the periodic table	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Mendeleev and the periodic table 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Mendeleev and the periodic table 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 2nd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Groups 1, 2, 17 and 18	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Groups 1, 2, 17 and 18 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Groups 1, 2, 17 and 18 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 3rd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Trends in atomic radius and electronegativity	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Trends in atomic radius and electronegativity 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Trends in atomic radius and electronegativity 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
November 4th week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Ionisation energies	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Ionisation energies 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: The Periodic Table 1: Ionisation energies 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

December · The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter

5th Year Chemistry — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Chemistry

Week	1 Day/Week	2 Day/Week	3 Day/Week
December 1st week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: The mole and molar mass	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: The mole and molar mass 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: The mole and molar mass 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 2nd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Molar volume and Avogadro’s law	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Molar volume and Avogadro’s law 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Molar volume and Avogadro’s law 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 3rd week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Solutions and concentration	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Solutions and concentration 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Solutions and concentration 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding
December 4th week (Chemistry)	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Empirical formulae and balancing equations	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Empirical formulae and balancing equations 2: Practice / retrieval task	The Nature of Matter: Quantifying Matter 1: Empirical formulae and balancing equations 2: Practical / data / discussion activity 3: Check for understanding

The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Retrieve and diagnose

Open with short questions that check the prior knowledge needed for the week’s 5th Year Chemistry topic.

25 minutes

Explore and explain

Work through the concept with diagrams and worked examples, then apply it to data, practicals and Leaving Cert-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short question or data task that shows progress towards the Leaving Cert exam.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 5th Year Chemistry

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of every unit in the Leaving Certificate Chemistry specification, in course order.

Practicals & investigations

Guided practicals, data analysis and support with the Chemistry in Practice Investigation.

Exam-style practice

Leaving Cert Chemistry questions at Higher and Ordinary Level with worked solutions.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on strengths, gaps and next steps.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for 5th Year Chemistry

Tell us your child’s level (Higher or Ordinary) and where they are with Leaving Cert Chemistry, and we will shape the first grind around the 5th Year Chemistry topics that matter most.

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A recommended next-step study plan